Got Job Search Fatigue? 5 Ways to Rev Up Your Hunt

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Aug. 13, 2014, 8:04 AM

You hear about it all the time: finding and landing a job these days is definitely a difficult task. And with employers tightening their hiring belt, it's more important than ever to stand out so you're seen as the best candidate.

However, after a while, constant rejection paired with no callbacks can wear a job seeker down. When you've exhausted all other options and started to feel the dreaded job search fatigue, don't give up! Here are five ways you can rev up your search:

Create a job search plan. When changing your job search tactics, it's important to figure a few things out. That's where a job search plan comes into play. Among other things, it's vital to include the following:

A schedule of tactics, how you're going to implement them, how you'll measure success, etc.

These are just a few suggestions - but the bottom line with this point is to be organized, be active, and be knowledgeable, which will hopefully lead to more opportunities.

Switch up your tactics. You've sent out countless resumes, networked your butt off, and followed-up incessantly, all to no avail. Sometimes, your old tactics just aren't cutting it - and the sooner this is accepted and altered, the faster you will land a job. As with your job search plan, reflect on what has worked and what hasn't and act accordingly. By doing this, you avoid wasting your time (as well as the time of an employer) and hopefully create a more productive search.

Use social networking professionally. Facebook doesn't just have to be about posting crazy photos. Likewise, Twitter can be more than just saying what you ate on Saturday night. These social networks can actually help you land a job if you use them correctly. By using them as modern day networking tools, you can connect and converse with the company of your dreams. Announce your job search on Google+ and LinkedIn, participate in weekly Twitter chats, or even use job search apps on Facebook. That way, you'll be able to use these networks professionally and to their full potential.

Stay involved. Just because you're searching for a new job doesn't give you a free ticket to do nothing. Stay involved in your industry by attended industry meetings, connecting with your dream companies at meet-ups, and asking old employers if they need any help with projects, even it's pro bono. You'll not only stay involved, you'll show a future employer that you didn't just sit around until something came along. Instead, you took control of your job search.

Take a break. It may sound simple, or even impossible, but sometimes we all need a break. Step away from the phone, the computer, or the job ads, and do something else to take your mind off the search, like volunteering, traveling, or even doing some soul searching. Whatever you choose, make sure you still understand that the job hunt will always be there; you just need a little breather (and perhaps a little perspective) to make your search more productive.

Mary Marino is the founder of EmploymentPipeline.com, a job search resource that inspires job seekers to become their own recruiter. EmploymentPipeline.com has launched its "Occupation Pipeline" widget, a unique tool which enables users to perform broader career searches by sourcing occupations and employers, rather than job titles. Connect with Mary and EmploymentPipeline.com on Twitter and Facebook.